A communal project that benefits as many tenants and leaseholders as possible.

These projects are for communal areas only and not for individual properties/gardens.

Suggestions for potential schemes

Landscaping

We encourage applications from housing estates that have ambitions to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

The project would have to be delivered within any communal areas and be accessible for all tenants within an estate.

Funding can be provided for raised beds, fruit / vegetable / flower seeds, compost and support to ensure a whole-estate approach is achieved. 

Site clearance

Removing undergrowth to make the neighbourhood look tidier and be safer.

Pathways

Improve access to a communal building.

Fencing

Any small changes that would improve community security.

Lighting

On a building or in a murky area that would make residents feel safer.

Signage

To make it easier for visitors to find you.

Recycling

Where the re-positioning or installation of containers would help keep the area tidier and make recycling easier.

An application must tell us:

• about your idea or proposed project and what you think needs to be done
• how it will improve your neighbourhood
• why your community will benefit
• how you went about talking to those affected by your application
• who supports the project
• how your community may continue to support and maintain the project once it is completed
• a rough guess of how much your project may cost. Provide 3 different quotes from different suppliers if the first quote is over a sum of £3,000
• signatures from at least 80% of the tenants and residents of the particular area / estate in agreement to the proposed works

Council tenants, leaseholders or community representatives will be able to apply for the grant from 1 January until 31 March each year.

If your application is successful, the estate/area will not be able to apply again for another 2 years.

There are three stages:

Stage 1

• Completed applications are submitted to the Housing Department of the council.
• The Environmental Panel who is a mixture of tenants and housing officers will then assess the applications to ensure they meet the guidelines.
• Those that meet the guidelines will go forward to the next stage.

Stage 2

• Housing officer, technical inspector and a tenant representative will visit each proposed project and ensure there are no technical problems in carrying out the project.
• The Environmental Panel will meet again and confirm which projects will go ahead.
• Once decisions have been agreed, all applicants will be notified of the decisions via letter or email.

Stage 3

• All successful applications will be carried out by contractors who gave the best quote for the work and will be supervised by the Tenant Participation Team.
• Once completed, the Environmental Panel will visit to make sure the project has been completed.